Bhim Singh urges Pratibha Patil to retire from presidential contest

Chief of Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party, Bhim Singh, today sent a letter to UPA-Lefts presidential nominee, Pratibha Patil, asking her to retire from the presidential race in the wake of allegations.

New Delhi, July 5 : Chief of Jammu and Kashmir Panther's Party, Bhim Singh, today sent a letter to UPA-Left's presidential nominee, Pratibha Patil, asking her to retire from the presidential race in the wake of allegations.

"I request Pratibha Patil to retire from the presidential race since there are allegations of financial misconduct against her," Singh told reporters, adding, "Allegations against her (Patil) are unbearable".

However, Singh came out in full support of NDA-backed Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Though Singh denied of having any understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said that he was supporting an 'independent' candidate Shekhawat, and that he was also trying to garner support for him from third front constituents like Samajwadi Party (SP) and Telegu Desam Party (TDP). I am speaking to SP's Mulayam Singh Yadav and TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, and asking them whether they would support Patil, who is also getting support from Shiv Sena," Singh said.

He expressed confidence that Shekhawat would win the presidential race and that on July 21, when the results will be announced, he would be celebrating Shekhawat's victory.

The voting to elect the 13th President of the country would be held on July 19.

ANI